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Airport shut as WW2 bomb found in Thames

Image copyrightPAImage caption Planes are footed at the airport following the breakthrough of the maneuver

An operation to remove a 500 kg World War Two bombard that has forced the closing of London City Airport will continue through the night.

The airport has been slammed the working day and all flights cancelled, changing up to 16,000 passengers, agents said.

The bomb was are available at George V Dock on Sunday during schemed work on the east London airport.

The Royal Navy said the bomb would be exploded underwater overnight and international airports should reopen on Tuesday.

Police have confirmed kinfolks “whos” evacuated from around the website can return to their homes after the manoeuvre was moved to another location in the dock.

However, a new cordon arena around some streets south-east of international airports will come into accomplish from 21:00 GMT as the ordnance is moved further.

A tunnel used by some rail services from St Pancras International will likewise be closed around midnight.

Image copyrightRoyal Navy/ MoD/ Crown CopyrightImage caption The airfield says the operation to remove the missile is “proceeding well” Image copyrightRoyal Navy/ MoD/ Crown CopyrightImage caption The Ministry of Defence says device disposal crews deal with about 60 German World War Two projectiles a year

The airport was shut at 22:00 GMT on Sunday when the device was discovered lying in a bottom of silt 15 m underwater.

Lieutenant Commander Jonny Campbell, who is leading the projectile disposal diving measurement, said the 1.5 m-long design would be swam down the River Thames and “high-grade military explosives” would be attached to it.

He said his team had “a long night ahead” before the rocket is eventually destroyed underwater on Tuesday morning.

Image caption The machine was discovered during schemed works at the airport

According to the airport’s website, a total of 261 arrivals and departures had been scheduled for Monday.

“All flights today are cancelled but some airlines have moved their flights to other airfields – CityJet to Southend and Alitalia to Stansted”, the airport said.

Among passengers altered were Tottenham Hotspur supporters heading to Italy for a Champions League game against Juventus.

The north London club advised any supporters flying to Milan to “contact their airline as soon as possible”, ahead of the coincide in Turin on Tuesday.

Image copyrightPAImage caption Passenger were turned away from the airport and all flights were stopped

Spurs fan David, 52, was booked to float to Milan on Monday before taking a connecting study to Turin ahead of the Champions League apart match.

British Airways has now booked him onto a new flight on Tuesday, he said, but he was disappointed he has lost a hotel light in Turin.

“There’s no smell of ‘you’re out of pocket for a darknes in a hotel’, ” he said.

Robert Sinclair, CEO of international airports, apologised and said: “The airport is cooperating fully with the Met Police and Royal Navy and working hard to safely remove the device and resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

Image copyrightPAImage caption The first stage of the operation was to free the bombard eggshell from the silt so it can be hovered for removal Image copyrightReutersImage caption The design has been endeavoured to another location in the dock before it is moved greatly down the Thames

Airlines exercising London City Airport include British Airways, Flybe, CityJet, KLM and Lufthansa, with flights to domestic and European metropolitan destinations.

Police said a 214 -metre exclusion zone had been put in and properties inside were evacuated.

A rest centre was opened by Newham Council to equip bedding and refreshments for categories affected.

Following the detection of a World War Two ordnance in King George V Dock as part of schemed development works, a 214 m exclusion zone has been implemented as a prudence by the Met Police. As a arise, London City Airport is currently closed.( 1/3)